Sacraments & Ministries

Sacraments at St. Mary's

Sacrament
From the Latin sacramentum, a word which denoted the oath of loyalty sworn by soldiers to their earthly lord, the emperor. It was applied by Tertullian around 200 AD to the Christian mysteries, by which man adhered to God. It thus acquired, as a technical term, the same implication as the Greek word mysterion, mystery, which is used to this day for the sacraments in Eastern Christianity.

Baptism

Scripture shows that John's baptism was a symbol of repentance, but not a sacrament. It did not confer grace. In the Acts it is clear that those who received Christian baptism also received the Holy Spirit, had their sins forgiven and became members of Christ, and thus of the Church. It is the foundational sacrament, the only one Philip thought necessary to confer on the Ethiopian eunuch.

Parents and Godparents are asked to prepare for the baptism of their child by participation in pre-baptism formation. Contact the Office.

Confirmation
Completes Baptism by a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and enables the Christian for mission. This was seen at Pentecost with respect to the apostles. In the early Church it was often accompanied by charismatic signs, though these are not intrinsic to the sacrament. Conferred by the laying on of hands. In Acts 19:3-6, especially, it is clear that John's baptism, Christian baptism and Confirmation are all distinct realities. Also, in Hebrews 6:2 baptizing and laying on of hands are distinguished. 

Penance/Confession
Christ gave authority, the keys, to the apostles to forgive sin, to decide between absolving or retaining guilt. This requires "confession" of sins for this judgment not to be arbitrary, hence the popular name of the sacrament. This authority was passed on to bishops, and from them to priests, with ordination.

Eucharist
The Eucharist is visibly bread and wine but is in reality the Body and Blood of Christ. No mere symbols can effect eternal life. And abuse of no mere symbol can be worthy of damnation. In the early centuries the name of the Mass was the breaking of the bread. Yet, when word got out of what the Eucharist really was the Romans accused Christians of sacrificing babies and cannibalism, because they heard they ate human flesh.

Matrimony

Marriage is, as St. Paul states, a mystery (mysterion). The Latin word used to translate mysterion is "sacramentum". The sacraments are mysteries (as Eastern Christians still call them), for one thing is visible and something else is known by faith. By faith, matrimony is a sign of Christ and the Church, as well as a special calling.

Couples should make an appointment with the priest at least six months in advance of any wedding date. Please call the Parish Office for an appointment.

Anointing of the Sick
Anointing prepares the person for death, and only incidentally may produce physical healing. The salvation and resurrection spoken of in James are in the first place spiritual.

Whenever anyone is ill or having surgery, contact the Parish Office.

Holy Orders
The threefold division of sacred ministers (bishops, priests and deacons) prefigured in the Old Law (high priest, priests, Levites) is clearly revealed in Scripture. Yet, most so-called "bible-believing" Protestant churches do not have them.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Contact the Parish Office for information.

Ministries and Groups

Religious Education

Wednesdays during the school year at 7pm.

Parish Council of Catholic Women

Meet 2nd Thursday of each month.

Religious Article Gift Shop

Located in the back of the Church and open after each Mass. Operated by the Council of Catholic Women.

Sevier Co Ch TN Right to Life

Meets the second Thursday of each month at the King Family Library, Sevierville at 6pm.

Engaged Encounter Weekends
www.engagedencounter.org
Marriage Enrichment Opportunities